Ford Freestyle ball joint problems

Filed Jun 26, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 160,000 miles · NH

My daughter was driving the car at the time and felt a large bang then shuddering with the vehicle becoming difficult to steer and losing control, veering off the road edge. She regained control and brought the car to a safe stop. She called me for assistance and I found the rear sub frame is inferior in construction and had extensive perforation inconsistent with the rest of the vehicle. This caused the rear control arm to separate from the sub frame. The rear wheel became unstable causing the vehicle to lose control. I have contacted ford on the issue, they have recalls on the escape and windstar for the same problem. I have also found the same reports from other freestyle owners. Ford refused to assist on the matter. This is a serious safety issue. This occurred at relatively low speed approx. 35 miles per our. Had this occurred at highway speeds my daughter may have been injured or killed.

Filed Jan 7, 2015 · Suspension · 89,800 miles · NY

Description of failure ford motor case no. [xxx] december 2, 2014 2007 ford freestyle sel fwd ' 89,800 miles very good condition- original owner on november 26, 2014 owner experienced problem with passenger rear wheel. Wheel was swaying in an outward direction on the base of the wheel and driver was not able to control the automobile. Upon inspection at metro ford sales (where automobile was purchased) on december 2, 2014 it was found that the rear suspension sub-frame had failed through extensive rust. The lower control arm bracket had broken free of the actual suspension sub-frame body. This allowed the base of the wheel system to project in an outward direction and caused the loss of control and traction. The maintenance personal determined that they would not be able to repair the sub-frame assembly. The corrective action would be the removal of the sub-frame assembly and the replacement with a serviceable assembly. There is no doubt in the minds of the service personal that the cause of the failure was extensive and unusual rust. Upon inspection of the remainder of the undercarriage framework there was comparatively little rust to other components. The exhaust system, which is adjacent to the failed sub-frame system, had very little rust and was still very serviceable this is a very troubling situation since the car was rarely driven in the snow. Furthermore, the automobile has always been housed in a climatically controlled garage system throughout its lifespan. At this juncture, it is very obvious to all parties concerned that the sub-frame in question was manufactured with sub-standard steel and alloys. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 2, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 120,000 miles · IN

My engine blew and had to be rebuilt. I then had to have the transmission rebuilt 2 months after getting it back. The inner tie rod ends went out. There was a number of .there things that went wrong at the same time. It was as though the vehicle started falling apart at 120000 miles.

Filed May 7, 2014 · Suspension · 112,000 miles · MI

I was traveling on a side street at approximately 30 MPH. I heard a loud clunk from the rear of the car.. I stopped the car and got out to check the cause. The right rear lower control arm was no longer connected to the vehicle structure. The attachment bolt and bushing is connected to the control arm. The attachment bracket that is welded to the sub-frame is deteriorated.

Filed Jan 15, 2013 · Suspension · 176,690 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, she heard a loud noise as the steering wheel started to veer. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle she noticed that the rear control arm was fractured and became detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician advised that there was corrosion of the rear sub-frame, causing it to detach from the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 176,690.

Filed Feb 15, 2012 · Suspension, Wheels · 54,401 miles · FL · crash

I was driving my 2005 ford freestyle on an interstate highway at approximately 72 MPH. While driving on a straight section of highway and with both of my hands on the steering wheel, the vehicle suddenly went completely out of control. I tried desperately to straighten up and to control the car but it was useless. The vehicle went sideways and then started to spin out of control. The vehicle ended up in a berm on the side of the highway facing in the opposite direction. Only by the mercy and grace of god was our vehicle not struck by a passing vehicle or did our vehicle roll. We walked away from the accident with no injuries just thankful hearts. The vehicle was towed to a service station and the technician quickly diagnosed the problem as a broken lower left rear control arm support bracket. The control arm is what keeps the rear wheels from turning left or right. The lower control arm support bracket is what helps to keep the control arm in place. Upon further investigation after the accident we have identified a number of other vehicle owners who have experienced this same problem. The part is constructed with an inexpensive and weak grade of steel and is subject to damage. *tr...updated 08/31/2012 *bf updated 09/05/2012

Filed Dec 27, 2010 · Body, Suspension · 76,000 miles · GA

2005 ford freestyle sel. 76,000 miles. Right rear lower control arm sheered off from frame at mounting point while traveling at ~20 MPH on residential street. The failure point was the sheet metal on the frame where the control arm attaches to, not the actual control arm.

Filed Sep 15, 2010 · Suspension · 44,761 miles · GA

The car developed a serious right-left jerk when ever the car was accelerated or decelerated. The ford dealer technician determined that the left lower ball joint was loose. From the official ford repair manual the ball joint should be at 85 ft-lbs. In my opinion a nut set to 85 ft-lbs should not have worked loose. The technician had no idea why the ball joint nut had come loose. Since this vehicle was purchased from a ford dealer and no front end mechanical work was ever done, I believe that the ball joint nut was not set to the proper torque when the car was initially assembled. Once the ford dealer completed the repair I asked the technician to check the right side and in fact the right side ball joint was also a little loose.

Filed May 24, 2010 · Suspension · 92,000 miles · NY

2005 ford freestyle...lower right rear suspension control arm failed at frame attachment bracket...near loss of control at low speed...had failure happened at highway speed the result could have been very serious.

Filed May 30, 2007 · Suspension · 19,461 miles · GA

Car was parked in the drive way when my husband noticed both rear tires had 10-12 inch slits with metal exposed..took to a ford dealership with our extended warranty and ford takes not liability..the damage is as follows: front end alignment, 2 tires and 2 control arms bent when vehicle was delivered by carrier...ford admitted that, they even changed the control arms because they are not strong enough for the 2007 year model but we have to pay anyway..fords quote was over $750.00. The arms are factory faulted but we have to pay...why get extended warranty then or worse we have less than 20,000 miles on car...